SHT Two Harbors to Duluth

The almost 40 mile stretch of trail between Two Harbors and Duluth is currently being constructed. We anticipate completion of this trail section by 2010 or 2011. As sections are completed and open to the public, maps and text descriptions will be posted here.

June, 2008: The first 6.2 mile section of trail is now open for your hiking enjoyment. This section does not connect to the rest of the trail at this time. It features mature maple forests alternating with balsam fir-aspen-birch-forests. The trails travels through the McCarthy Creek and Knife River watersheds. There is one nice campsite on the Ferguson branch of the Knife River.

2008 New Section from Rossini Road Trailhead from Lake County Demonstration Forest Trailhead, 6.2 miles

Directions to Rossini Road Trailhead: At Hwy 61 milepost 14.9, turn north (inland) on Homestead Road (St. Louis Co Rd 42) and go 5.75 miles to end. Turn right on Knife River Rd (still Co Rd 42) and go 1.5 miles. Turn left on Culbertson Rd (St. Louis Co Rd 41) and go 1.5 miles. Turn right on Two Harbors Rd (still Co Rd 41) and go 0.5 miles. Turn left on Laine Rd (Co Rd 266) and go 3.5 miles. Turn left on Rossini Rd (still Co Rd 266) and go 1.3 miles to trailhead parking lot on left.

Directions to Lake County Demonstration Forest Trailhead: At Hwy 61 milepost 26.0 in Two Harbors, turn north on Hwy 2 (Lake Co Rd 2) and go 3.0 miles. Turn left on Hwy 12 (Co Rd 12) and go for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Holm Rd and go 0.5 miles. Turn left on Drummond Grade (Co Rd 131) and go 2.5 miles to parking lot on right.

0.0 (6.2 ) ROSSINI ROAD TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT

SHT crosses Rossini Road and enters mixed woods of balsam fir-birch-and aspen. Trail crosses wet area on bridge and then three small bridges on tributaries of McCarthy Creek in area that shows re-growth from logging. Trail alternates between mature maple forests and fir-aspen-birch forests.

2.6 (3.6) McCARTHY CREEK BRIDGE

SHT crosses on bridge just below lovely grass-lined waterfall. After leaving creek, trail goes through white pine stand, crosses dirt track, and continues through mixed forest.

3.2 (3.0) OLD DRUMMOND ROAD

SHT crosses Old Drummond Road and comes to area where trail is strewn with frost-shattered rock – watch your step here carefully.

3.8 (2.4) FERGUSON TRIBUTARY OF THE KNIFE RIVER

Trail crosses boulder-filled tributary on bridge and comes to Ferguson Campsite. Campsite has three tent pads. Water source is the river 25 yards away.

After campsite, SHT soon comes to land that was managed by noted local forester Don Ferguson and is now part of Lake County Demonstration Forest. This 400-acre site has a network of trails and is dedicated to historic interpretation, education, and forest management demonstrations.

4.5 (1.7) DRUMMOND GRADE (CO RD 131)

SHT comes to Drummond Grade. Trail climbs to road and then travels south (right) on road 100 feet and then crosses road on other side near a culvert through which the Knife River flows. Trail comes to small logged area. Watch carefully for blue paint marking in this area.

5.1 (1.1) SPLIT IN TRAIL AT T-STOP:

SHT comes to split where future SHT main trail turns left (north) and SHT spur trail turns right (south). After 0.2 miles, SHT spur turns left (south) where it continues on Demo Forest Ferguson Trail/Orange Trail. SHT spur trail turns right (west) onto Gravel Pit Trail/Orange Trail by gates (make sure you don’t turn onto North Shore State Trail – check for signs here) and travels on Gravel Pit Trail/Orange Trail 0.43 miles and then turns left (southeast) onto Blue Trail and travels 25 yards to trailhead parking lot by log-sided outhouses.

6.2 (0.0) LAKE COUNTY DEMONSTRATION FOREST TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT

Rossini to Demo map
Printable Map 60K

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